Have you ever spent months researching the property market, scrolling through Rightmove, analysing spreadsheets — but never actually buying anything? If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many first-time and experienced investors find themselves stuck in analysis paralysis — overthinking every decision until the perfect deal seems impossible to find.
The good news is, there’s a simple strategy that can help you move forward with confidence. It’s a piece of maths known as the Optimal Stopping Problem — and it might just be the key to unlocking your first (or next) investment property.
The “Optimal Stopping” Rule – and How It Works
Imagine you’re hiring someone for a job. You’re going to interview 20 candidates, but you must decide to hire or reject each one before seeing the next. How do you make sure you don’t miss the best person?
Mathematicians have found that statistically, your best chance of success is to reject the first 37% of candidates (around 7 people) and then offer the job to the first person who’s better than those you rejected.
It’s not a perfect system — but it’s proven to maximise your odds of picking the best option.
Applying This to Property Investment
The same principle works when you’re choosing an investment property.
Here’s how to use it:
- Set a limit. Decide how many properties you’re going to review — maybe 10, maybe 30.
- Research phase (37%). Don’t offer on the first third you view. Use them to learn about the market, understand pricing, yields, demand, and what “good” looks like.
- Act decisively. Once you’ve passed that initial research phase, make an offer on the first property that’s better than what you’ve already seen.
- Avoid perfection hunting. There’s no such thing as the “perfect” deal. Focus on strong fundamentals, not unicorns.
This approach keeps you moving forward — and it helps you stop second-guessing every decision.
Why It Works for Property Investors
This strategy isn’t about blindly buying the first property you see. It’s about giving yourself enough knowledge and context to act with confidence when the right deal comes along.
And timing is everything. The longer you wait, the more potential capital growth and rental income you’re missing out on — and the more inflation is quietly eroding the value of your savings.
When the right opportunity comes up, move fast and make an offer. Many investors miss deals simply because they hesitate for too long.
Final Thoughts: Done Is Better Than Perfect
The most successful property investors aren’t the ones who endlessly analyse, they’re the ones who take informed action.
If you’ve been stuck in research mode, give the 37% rule a try. It’s a simple mindset shift that can turn uncertainty into confidence and finally get your money working harder for you.
At Frater Property Partners, we help investors just like you move from “thinking about it” to building real wealth through property. Whether it’s your first investment or your tenth, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Get in touch with us today for a free conversation with one of the team: https://fraterpropertypartners.com/contact/
Learn more with us on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@JamesTalksProperty
